Republicans play hardball, give only $590 million to Washington State for high speed rail

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In January of 2010, local rail advocates rejoiced at learning Washington had been awarded $590 million in federal economic stimulus funding for high-speed rail.

However, the money never actually materialized until this week.

...

The Federal Railroad Administration wanted assurances that, by spending federal money on a privately owned railroad, the improvements would meet the Obama administration’s goal of enhancing passenger service over the long term.

...

Negotiations dragged on for more than a year.

Then, the new Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives took office in January promising to follow through on campaign commitments to restrain federal spending. Rather than waiting for next year’s budget, the new majority pushed for deep cuts in the federal budget right now.

Billions of dollars that had been awarded but not yet formally “obligated” were suddenly on the chopping block.

...

Following a final two days of final negotiations last Thursday and Friday, Witt was the state official who electronically accepted the $590 million award. The final click of the mouse came in his Olympia office at 10:04 p.m. on Friday.

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/mar/02/regional-high-speed-rail-funds-have-arrived/

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Bleeding Socialists!

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Bleeding Socialists!

What's funny is these fiscal conservative superheros had to negotiate them down to the figure that existed all along!

[luckytxn 2,265]

Damn GOP. Their votes could have been bought a lot cheaper than that up there.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

What's funny is these fiscal conservative superheros had to negotiate them down to the figure that existed all along!

Negotiating is a true art.